Executive Constantine announces changes to Senior Leadership Team
April Putney, Shannon Braddock, and Karan Gill
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced the upcoming departure of Deputy Executive April Putney and the appointments of Shannon Braddock as Deputy Executive and Karan Gill as Chief of Staff.
Shannon, the current Chief of Staff, and Karan, the Deputy Chief of Staff, have decades of experience between them in policy, strategy, and government and community relations in our region.
"I would like to thank April for her service to King County as she prepares to depart next month for an exciting new opportunity outside of government," Executive Contantine said. Read more.
Executive Constantine appoints Marissa Aho as new Director of Climate Office
King County Executive Dow Constantine has appointed Marissa Aho – a highly experienced leader in climate action and resilience planning – to serve as Climate Director, overseeing King County’s work to address climate change and advance its Strategic Climate Action Plan.
“Marissa has an exceptional background to lead King County’s Executive Climate Office, bringing with her nearly a decade of expertise in strategy and policy planning around climate action, environmental justice, resilience, and sustainability,” said Executive Constantine. “We look forward to her leadership as King County continues investing in solutions and taking bold action against the looming climate crisis.” Read more.
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Transforming transit for a greener tomorrow
Cross-posted from Metro Matters
Every week, more than one million people use King County Metro‘s buses, on-demand services, paratransit vans, water taxis and other modes to get to where they need to go. Metro serves 37 cities in Washington state, including Seattle, and a county with a population that’s greater than 15 U.S. states.
Metro is proud to be an industry leader in how we deliver our service sustainably. Our transition to a zero-emission fleet powered by renewable energy is part of King County’s holistic approach to combat climate change. We are on track to be one of the first large transit agencies in North America with a 100% zero-emission fleet by 2035. Read more.
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Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health on Vashon Island
Cross-posted from Cultivating Connections
Young people across King County and the country are facing increasingly difficult mental health challenges. Young people who are in underserved communities, including LGBTQ+ and BIPOC young people, face even steeper challenges.
According to King County’s Healthy Youth Survey, LGBTQ+ young people have an urgent need for mental health supports, with higher rates of suicidal ideation and attempts, and depression. King County is working with community partners to meet LGBTQ+ youth with needed resources, through programs that prioritize culturally relevant supports. Read more.
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Angela Toussaint receives 2022 Individual Contributor Award
DAJD Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Manager Angela Toussaint has been honored with the Individual Contributor Award, one of King County Executive’s Performance Excellence Awards which highlights an individual contributor who does not directly manage staff. The Individual Contributor Award is one of three Leadership Excellence Awards honoring King County leaders who embody the Executive Branch values and drive for results that make King County better for employees and customers, and move King County closer to its True North: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. View the award announcement and watch the video here.
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Social Services on 'portrait mode'
"King County has a lot of services that can help people. Maybe other employees are veterans or have relatives who are. If they need help or have questions about the program, I’m always open,” Anh Tran says. Following several iterations of what is now known as the Veterans, Seniors & Human Services Levy (VSHSL), veterans and their family members can access housing, connect to mental health counselors, and get help navigating a complex system. King County defines veteran differently than other agencies, allowing Social Service Professional’s like Anh to provide lower-barrier services to thousands of veterans and their family members in our community. Read more.
More about the American Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pasifika Affinity Group
The next American Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pasifika (AANHP) virtual gathering will take place on Thursday, July 13 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. via Teams.
If you are interested in attending this online event or getting connected to the AANHP community at King County, reach out to the co-Chairs, Helen Potter (hpotter@kingcounty.gov) and Guru Dorje (guru.dorje@kingcounty.gov).
Learn more about King County Affinity groups at www.kingcounty.gov/AffinityGroups.
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Anti-Racist White Action Group monthly meeting today at noon
You’re invited to the monthly Anti-Racist White Action Group (ARWAG) meeting. Today's topics will include:
- Recognition of LGBTQ+ Pride Month
- Brainstorm anti-racist successes and projects to celebrate
- Spend time in workgroups (Education and Training, Partnerships and Community, and Human Resources and Data)
Come join us and get involved! New member meet and greet begins at 11:40 a.m.
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Tuesday, June 27 from noon to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom
ARWAG is one of the county’s Affinity Groups (also called Employee Resource Groups) and addresses racism and other forms of oppression to advance the county’s equity and social justice goals. Email arwag@kingcounty.gov to join this group, get the meeting notices, or for any questions.
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Administrative Professionals Program quarterly recognitions
Do you know an administrative professional you’d like to recognize for the outstanding work they do? The Administrative Professionals Program holds quarterly recognitions for the County’s administrative employees who contribute to the success of every department every day.
The upcoming recognitions will cover April-June, 2023, and will be posted by July 12. To recognize an administrative professional, please fill out the form here by June 30.
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Independence Day holiday is Tuesday, July 4
Tuesday, July 4 is Independence Day, which means that King County government offices will be closed. All offices will be back on schedule Wednesday, July 5.
On July 4, most Metro Transit buses will operate on Sunday schedules with extra late-night services.
If you have questions about your holiday schedule, please speak to your supervisor. Have a safe and healthy holiday.
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My Secure Advantage Upcoming Webinars
Financial wellness is a key component to an overall sense of well-being. King County partners with My Secure Advantage (MSA) to provide employees with tools and coaching that support you in reaching your financial goals. Attend an upcoming webinar or register to receive the recording.
Student Loan Repayment Strategies
For many employees, especially in the first half of their careers, student loan payments are a significant monthly expense. This class helps attendees consider repayment options that meet their individual goals. We discuss repayment options and explain forgiveness programs. We will also include how you might lower monthly payments or pay off loans faster.
Investing: Risk Considerations and Taxes
This class reviews five types of investment risk. It also explores how time frames and your investment profile might influence investments you are willing to consider. We’ll cover some tax implications of investing and conclude with investment examples and possible risks. We will also outline action steps for those who wish to learn more.
Want to learn more about these topics? Connect with MSA at kingcounty.mysecureadvantage.com or call 888-874-7290.
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Emerald Downs and Seattle Sounders discounts
King County employees and their families are invited to attend the Emerald Downs racetrack for King County Day. Admission is free and it is part of the Family Fun Weekend.
All participating employees and guests should check in at will-call to receive their tickets. Employees will need to show proof of current employment, such as an employee badge or recent paystub.
- Sunday, July 9: Children events from 1 to 5 p.m. First race is at 2:15 p.m.
For more information, visit the Emerald Downs website.
Seattle Sounders King County Employee Appreciation Night is Sept. 2
King County employees can receive discounted tickets to watch the Seattle Sounders play the Portland Timbers on Employee Appreciation Night. Click here to buy tickets.
- Saturday, Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Lumen Field.
For questions or more information contact Conner Grant at 206-512-1239 or email connerg@soundersfc.com.
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Training Spotlight:
Brain-based Time Management – Online – Do you procrastinate, get distracted, have a hard time prioritizing, or feel overwhelmed? What we do and how we do it are driven by how our brains are wired. Neuroscience tells us we have 10 brain skills and each one of us has skills that are strong (and skills that are not strong). In this class, you’ll hear about each of these skills so you can identify where the weak areas are for you and most importantly, learn what you can do about it. Imagine finishing your workday with confidence that you remembered and handled everything you needed to!
Business Operations – Online – Students will study a number of key operational processes that are utilized in contemporary organizations including marketing and public relations, budgeting, financial tracking, and project management. Using generally accepted project management methodologies, students will organize operational and strategic tasks into projects that will produce products to meet stakeholder demands.
Introduction to Functions of Management – Online – Introduction to planning, organizing, coordinating, staffing, directing, budgeting, controlling, and evaluating functions of management; leadership roles and styles, and development of individual and group effectiveness; managing conflict and change; and the human aspects of management.
Please visit the King County Eventbrite website, Learning and Development website, and Career Support Services website for more learning opportunities. For more information, contact the Learning and Development Team at KCTraining@kingcounty.gov or visit Learning and Development at kingcounty.gov/learning.
Featured Job: Administrator I - West Point
Salary: $71,032.00 - $90,043.20 Annually
Location: Seattle, WA
Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Job Number: 2023-19168
Department: DNRP-Natural Resources and Parks
Division: Wastewater Treatment
Closes: July 5 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time
The selected candidate will perform fully proficient and intermediate-level technical and administrative functions to support the administrative, maintenance, and financial reporting systems that support a wastewater treatment plant and conveyance systems.
Learn more about this position and view all available positions.
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King County Headlines
Best Starts for Kids: Keeping Children Safe during the 2023 Wildfire Season
Bleeding control kits to be distributed across the region
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